Best way to transport gaming PC

[pschwaab]

So, I'm going to be flying across the country to come home from college and I want to bring my Gaming PC with me home. Trouble is, it's a fairly big computer, it's in a Fractal Define R4. What would you guys reccomend for getting a computer that big home over the plane? Would shipping it be the best option, or is there some kind of carry-on case that I could use to take it on the plane safely? It would need to be small enough to fit in an overhead bin I suppose, otherwise I would have to check it and that would be pretty dangerous for it. I suppose I could also unbuild it and pack the hard drive, graphics card, and other breakables in my suitcase, but that seems dangerous as well, and I don't know if I have the proper anti-static stuff to do so.

[TheCherryKing]

I would try to ship it using UPS. Do you have the original box the computer came in?

[pbx2]

Get it a plane seat1 /s 

Seriously though, UPS Insured up to the value of the computer.

[rn8686]

Do you still have the box that came with case? If so, you that. Also make sure to take out GPU, HDDs and air coolers (AIOs should be ok). 

 

 

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

In the box the case came in. Pack the inside of the case with bubble wrap so if things do get jarred loose, they don't fall and damage other components inside.

Basically pack it like NCIX does.

 

 

[TheCherryKing]

Why would you needed to take out the GPU, HDDs, and air coolers?

[rn8686]

Just now, TheCherryKing said:

Why would you needed to take out the GPU, HDDs, and air coolers?

HDDs can get damaged from vibrations, GPUs and large air coolers could get pulled out if the mount breaks. 

[pschwaab]

Okay, sounds like I should at the very least remove the Graphics card, remove the mechanical HDD (I can leave my SSd boot drive in there) and remove my Hyper 212 evo cooler(which will be a pain because I definitely had issues installing it the first time) Then I should bubble wrap the insides of the computer and ship it in a box with styrofoam to protect it. I don't have the original box here unfortunately, but I could probably manage to get a box of similar size. Or if I really need to... ship the original box here to ship it back with the computer inside. Anything I am missing here? Is this a better idea than trying to take it on the plane?

[IrshaadH]

I moved from Ottawa to Vancouver last year, and was able successfully ship my PC to my apartment.  Here's what I did:

 

Kept all my original boxes WITH foams pads.

Removed anything that could potentially flex the motherboard (CPU Cooler, GPU) and packaged them in their boxes.

Packed the barebones PC in the case's original box

Wrapped a shit ton of packing tape to ensure the boxes wouldn't break open.

 

For extra security, I removed the SSD and HDD and brought them with me in the plane.  That way, I still had my data with me in case the PC got lost, destroyed or stolen.

 

Shipped with UPS and paid extra for insurance (although I didn't use it).  Altogether costed me around $150.

 

I think the most important point is to ensure you have the original packaging that came with your components.  They're engineered to withstand long distance shipment via air and truck.  If you don't have the orignal boxes, you could use regular cardboard boxes and non-conductive bubble wrap -- although that could get pricey when adding to the cost of shipping.

[pschwaab]

So, just an update. I shipped the computer through UPS and it worked great. Put a crap ton of bubblewrap on the inside, and then UPS packed the rest for me. It was pretty expensive, 150 bucks or so, but it arrived and I'm happy about that!